Catasauqua, PA Estate Planning Lawyer

You’ve been thinking about this for a while, and maybe even set a goal for yourself to do it this month or this year, but getting your affairs in order is easy to put off, even if you recognize how important it is to protect your family and your hard-earned life’s wealth. Today is the day to stop procrastinating and take the first step towards planning for the future. If you’re intimidated by the estate planning process or uncomfortable thinking about your own demise, you aren’t alone. At Daly Law Offices, we are here to help you through each step, keep stress minimized, and make sure you have the education necessary to make informed, empowered decisions. Call our experienced Catasauqua estate planning lawyer today to schedule your free initial consultation and learn more about the benefits of a comprehensive estate plan for both you and your family!

An Effective Estate Plan Should Include…

A living will (or advance directive) – this is a legal document that allows you to express your preferences for medical or end-of-life care in case you become unable to communicate your wishes. Living wills make it possible for you to remain in control of your body and ensure your values and beliefs guide your care. They also reduce ambiguity for medical providers and relieve your loved ones of the emotional burden of having to make difficult medical decisions on your behalf. 

A testamentary will – this is the traditional will that details how a person’s money and property will be distributed upon their death. This legal document allows you to remain in control of who inherits your assets and have your last wishes communicated expressly so as to reduce the chances of family disputes over inheritances. 

A trust – these are entities to which your assets can be transferred to, and then managed by a trustee for the benefit of your beneficiaries. The most notable advantage of a trust is that they are not required to go through the Pennsylvania probate process, which is a complicated court procedure that takes a lot of time and money to wrap up. In addition, there are many tax benefits to having a trust and they also remain private, as opposed to wills which are a matter of public record. Depending on your individual circumstances and goals, our knowledgeable Catasauqua estate planning lawyer may recommend one specific type of trust or a combination of different trusts which each accomplish their own objectives. 

A power of attorney – these tools allow you to name a trusted individual (called an agent) to make legal, financial, and medical decisions on your behalf if you are unable to do so yourself. There are many types of power of attorney, such as durable, limited, and more. POAs are generally flexible and allow you to set the terms which specify which tasks your agent is able to handle, and for how long.

Guardianship designations – these are especially imperative if you are a parent to young children. They allow you to name the individual or couple who will become your children’s guardian if something tragic were to happen to you. You will have peace of mind knowing that your children can immediately move to the care of those designated without spending time in foster care or with some other relative who may not be your first choice. 

Trust Our Catasauqua Estate Planning Lawyer To Provide Clarity

Confused about what your estate plan needs? That’s what we’re here for! As a small firm, we are proud of the personalized attention we are able to provide to all clients. We are committed to getting to know you and your goals so that we can build a plan that helps you feel secure and gives you peace of mind. Call to schedule your free consultation and get started today!